Lotus Blossom Tank by Sharon Shoji. I substituted Plymouth Royal Bamboo and ended up using 8 skeins on size 4 needles. I did one extra pattern repeat and made the armhole slightly smaller (knit about 7 inches up the back instead of 7.5). I washed it to block and didn't pin it out. This yarn felt like cardboard when wet and took three days to dry. I was a little worried that the texture would change, but once it dried, it felt like it did before.
This was not the most fun thing to knit- trying to knit the plymouth at a tight gauge was a little hard on the fingers. I initially didn't have enough yarn, and bought three extra balls and had to start over on smaller needles after 2 reps of the lace pattern on size 5 needles. I didn't have much left over after 8 balls were knit up- I was a little nervous when I was knitting the edgings, but it was all fine. I also had anxiety that the variegation in the yarn would look bad with the lace pattern and the whole thing would look too busy and weird.
Despite all of my false starts, anxiety, and discomfort, I'm pretty happy with the finished result. It's a very wearable article of clothing- I love the neckline and the a-line tank shape. The variegation doesn't bother me, and I only wish that it was hot today so I wouldn't have to wear a sweater over it!
Well it looks beautiful. The vareigated yarn works perfectly.
Posted by: Lauren | June 26, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Looks great!
Posted by: Jen in SF | June 26, 2007 at 12:58 PM
It's very pretty. Good to hear that you're happy with how a challenging project turned out--it makes it worth it, don't you think? (Well, I hope it makes it worth it!)
Posted by: Janice | June 26, 2007 at 01:58 PM
Very, very nice. Come down to San Carlos. It's 72 and sunny only 25 miles away.
Posted by: Jocelyn | June 26, 2007 at 02:04 PM
Its beautiful!!!!!
Posted by: Adrienne | June 26, 2007 at 02:16 PM
Super super cute! I didn't read all of the knitting blahblah so I am going to assume it's easy to make, and you'll make one for me too??
(Or, can I borrow yours sometime?)
Posted by: Emily | June 26, 2007 at 04:02 PM
Very nice! It looks beautiful on you Jenny!
Posted by: Marisol | June 26, 2007 at 04:18 PM
It looks lovely on you!
Posted by: Abigail | June 26, 2007 at 04:36 PM
It's so cute! I think it works with the variegated yarn, too. Not at all busy or weird! ;)
Posted by: Nonnahs | June 26, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Oh! That's so cute. I really like it.
Posted by: Jen | June 26, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Ultra Cute. You are a knitting diva!
Posted by: Becky | June 26, 2007 at 08:04 PM
That looks fantastic on you!
Posted by: Scoutj | June 26, 2007 at 09:12 PM
Yay! You finished it. The tank really looks gorgeous. The lace looks amazing. I think this might be one of my favorite knitted tops you've made! Perfect!
Posted by: Alma | June 26, 2007 at 09:15 PM
I think it looks great-- I actually love the way the variegation seems to follow the waves of the lace. I wouldn't have thought that would work so well, but I really like it! I have also avoided doing lace with variegated yarns, but now I think I might try it with a sock pattern...
great job!
Posted by: JD | June 27, 2007 at 08:32 AM
I love it! Yours makes me want to knit one! Can't wait to hear where the stash yardage is now.
Posted by: Christy | June 27, 2007 at 08:38 AM
adorable. Also surprised that the verigated yarn works so well
Posted by: lomester | June 27, 2007 at 08:57 AM
It looks fantastic on you! Great job. Love the color!
Posted by: | June 27, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Looks awesome! I love it!
Posted by: elizabeth | June 27, 2007 at 03:36 PM
GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Leslie | June 27, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Well, all the hard work was worth it because it's a fantastic top! That is some amazing lacework.
Posted by: Maddie | June 27, 2007 at 10:23 PM
Wow! It looks fantastic on you! I love the variegated yarn.
Posted by: tiennie | June 27, 2007 at 11:42 PM
Nice job, Jenny! It's very pretty, and fits you so well. The craziest thing is that if you were here, you wouldn't be able to wear it on its own because you'd be too hot! Sigh...
Posted by: alison | June 28, 2007 at 01:44 PM
This looks amazing! You are inspiring me to finish mine... all done but the second shoulder seam and the neckline. Did you do anything different with the neck to keep it from gaping?
xooxox
Lain
Posted by: Lain | June 28, 2007 at 01:55 PM
I can't tell you how many times I have thought about making this and then thought maybe it was too young for me. It looks fabulous on you! Great fit and a very nice job. Let me know how you like wearing bamboo, I have hesitated to try it, but I have some in the stash.
Posted by: Julia | June 28, 2007 at 09:44 PM
You know, I usually shy away from variegated yarns because I can never visualize what they will look like... this turned out so well! I'm glad you went with the variegated to prove to chickens like me that it can be done without looking like clown barf. :) Your top is really pretty and it looks like a great fit, too. Come wear it in Seattle this summer. Hee hee.
Posted by: Karma | June 28, 2007 at 11:12 PM